Table and method of playing a simplified baccarat-type card game

ABSTRACT

A table and method of playing a baccarat-type card game that provides players with the opportunity to play a simpler version of baccarat that is both easier to understand and capable of being played by more players. One method of playing a baccarat-type card game comprises dealing 2 cards to both a banker hand and a player hand while the other method comprises dealing 1 card to both a banker hand and player hand, with the winning hand having a hand value closest to nine based on the traditional baccarat scoring system, but without all of the complex baccarat rules for determining if and when a third card is to be dealt. A simplified method is disclosed for handling “ties” involving dealing only one additional card and using an assigned numerical value of the one additional card to break the “tie” in favor of either the player or the banker.

RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of Applicant's co-pending U.S. Patent Application entitled “TABLE AND METHOD OF PLAYING A BACCARAT-TYPE CARD GAME” , Ser. No. 10/073,580; filed Feb. 2, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates generally to card games and tables and methods therefor and, more particularly, to a table and method of playing a very simplified baccarat-type card game that provides players with the opportunity to play a much simpler version of baccarat that is both easier to understand and capable of being played by more players.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The game baccarat is a popular card game at many casinos. Although usually found in a roped off or somewhat secluded area to attract high rollers or bettors seeking to gamble in relative privacy, baccarat is now played by many gamblers. The object of the game is to receive a hand value closest to 9. An Ace has a point value of 1 and cards 2 through 9 have point values equal to their face values (e.g. 3 of Spades has a point value of 3). 10s, Jacks, Queens and Kings have a point value of zero. Thus, if the first two cards dealt are a Jack and a 6, the total point value of the hand is 6. When the combination of cards creates a point total of 10 or more, the first digit is ignored. For example, a 4 and a 7 have a point value of 1 (not 11). Therefore, the highest point total that it is possible to achieve is a 9. Between the banker's hand and the player's hand, the hand value closest to 9 is the winning hand.

[0004] In baccarat, two cards are first dealt to a player's hand and two cards are first dealt to a dealer's, or banker's, or house hand. A two-card point total of 9 is called a “natural” and this hand cannot lose. A two-card point total of 8 is also called a “natural” and this is the second-best hand. In the event of a tie between the player's hand and the banker's hand neither the banker's hand nor the player's hand wins. Although, it is possible for the player to wager that a tie would occur, in which case the player is paid a multiple of his or her wager, usually the player is paid at a rate of 8 to 1. If the player or banker receive a two-card point total of 7, no further cards are received. No more than a total of 3 cards can be received, including the original two cards dealt.

[0005] When two-card point totals are 6 or less a very complex set of rules govern when the banker or player must draw an additional card. One of the dealers, known as the caller, determines the need for additional cards, which are dealt automatically and without direction or consent from the player. This method of play can be confusing, when one is not completely familiar with all of the rules governing card disbursement. The rules are often hard to pick up, causing many players to avoid the game of baccarat altogether.

[0006] It is also possible for the player to wager that the banker's hand (and not the player's hand) will win, although a successful wager on the banker's hand results in a 5% commission on the wager, paid to the casino. Since it is cumbersome to collect this sum each time a successful wager on the banker's hand is made, an additional dealer keeps track of what the player owes, and all debts are paid to the dealer once 8 decks of cards (known as the shoe) have been dealt. This method can create the feeling that one must pay the casino to win, a notion which can create some animosity and resentment when playing the game of baccarat. The 5% commission is also an additional calculation that must be taken into account by a gambler when determining his or her winnings. In the game of baccarat, the shoe is passed from player to player. When the player has the shoe, he or she must bet on the banker's hand, with the ensuing commission to be paid for a winning wager.

[0007] The game of baccarat can therefore create difficulties in determining the amount of winnings, and therefore the amount of money to wager, and the complex set of rules also makes the game of baccarat hard to follow.

[0008] The game of mini-baccarat has been developed to try and introduce the game of baccarat to more gamblers. The passing of the shoe and other customs of the traditional game of baccarat have been eliminated, but mini-baccarat follows the same rules of play as regular baccarat. For the most part, therefore, mini-baccarat retains the same shortcomings of regular baccarat. Mainly, the game of mini-baccarat was introduced as a way to place the smaller tables of mini-baccarat amongst the black-jack tables where there is more pedestrian traffic, and consequently, more likelihood of attracting gamblers.

[0009] As with virtually every game in a casino, the more players capable of playing the game, the more money a casino can make. Additionally, it is often the case that more players means more fun for the players, as a more social atmosphere is created by a larger group of people.

[0010] In the co-pending patent application noted above, a simpler baccarat-type game is disclosed using three cards for the player and three cards for the banker, dealer or house. While my simpler baccarat-type game as disclosed in the co-pending patent application is a significant improvement over prior known baccarat games, it is a great advantage to provide an even simpler baccarat-type game for gamblers or players to play. The casino and gaming industry has discovered over an extended period of time that the more simple games are easier to play, easier to understand by both the players and the dealer and especially preferred by players when there is no thinking decisions in the game other than to make an initial determination on how much money each player desires to bet or wager.

[0011] In the recently published U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/841,174 that was filed on Apr. 25, 2001 in the name of Derek J. Webb entitled Method And Apparatus For Playing A Game With Numerical Result, a different type of Baccarat game is disclosed where two playing cards are dealt to each of two sides, however, this prior Baccarat game has a very complex required system for handling “tie” situations wherein there is a “push” (return of the player's wager) for all ties except for ties which have a numerical value of zero for the player and the house. Thus, since “ties” are very likely when using two playing cards for the player and two playing cards for the banker or house, this prior Baccarat game version created delays in play because of the higher likelihood of “push” situations requiring dealing four more cards (two for the player hand and two for the banker hand.

[0012] Another Derek J. Webb prior reference relating to a different type of Baccarat game is U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,306 that issued Dec. 11, 2001 which is directed to various types of combined games including War, Blackjack and Baccarat, however, this cited U.S. Patent does not teach, suggest or disclose the simplified Baccarat gaming concept disclosed in Applicant's patent application.

[0013] A need therefore existed for providing a new, more simpler table and method of playing a baccarat-type card game, without all of the complex rules regarding when a third card is received, with no 5% commission for successfully wagering on a banker's hand, and with the possibility of playing with additional players.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] An object of the present invention is to provide a new method of playing a baccarat-type card game in which both a banker hand and a player hand receives only one card, and following the baccarat rules of determining hand values, the hand with a hand value closest to nine wins.

[0015] An object of the present invention is to provide a new method of playing a baccarat-type card game in which both a banker hand and a player hand receives only two cards, and following the baccarat rules of determining hand values, the hand with a hand value closest to nine wins.

[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a new, simplified baccarat-type card game table capable of allowing more than 6 players to wager on either a banker hand, a player hand, or on a tie between the banker hand and the player hand.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method of playing a baccarat-type card game is disclosed comprising, in combination, the steps of dealing a player hand having only one card, dealing a banker hand having only one card, determining a hand value of the player hand, wherein Ace through Nine cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and Jacks and Queens and Kings have a point value of zero, wherein a hand value of the player hand is equal to a total point value of the one card of the player hand, determining a hand value of the banker hand, wherein Ace through Nine cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and Jacks and Queens and Kings have a point value of zero, wherein a hand value of the banker hand is equal to a total point value of the one card of the banker hand, comparing the hand value of the player hand with the hand value of the banker hand wherein the hand with a hand value closest to 9 is a winning hand.

[0018] In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, a method of playing a baccarat-type card game is disclosed comprising, in combination, the steps of dealing a player hand having two cards, dealing a banker hand having two cards, determining a hand value of the player hand, wherein Ace through Nine cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and Jacks and Queens and Kings have a point value of zero, wherein a hand value of the player hand is equal to a total point value of the two cards of the player hand when the two cards have a total point value less than 10 and when the two cards of the player hand have a total point value of at least 10, then the first digit of the total point value is ignored when determining a hand value of the player hand, determining a hand value of the banker hand, wherein Ace through Nine cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and Jacks and Queens and Kings have a point value of zero, wherein a hand value of the banker hand is equal to a total point value of the two cards of the banker hand when the two cards have a total point value less than 10 and when the two cards of the banker hand have a total point value of at least 10 then the first digit of the total point value is ignored when determining a hand value of the banker hand, comparing the hand value of the player hand with the hand value of the banker hand wherein the hand with a hand value closest to 9 is a winning hand, dealing only one additional card when the player hand and banker hand are subsequently determined to have an equal hand value and paying the at least one player an amount equal to the wager when the additional card has a certain card value.

[0019] In accordance with still another embodiment of the present invention, a baccarat-type card game table is disclosed comprising, in combination, a table having a banker hand area dimensioned to receive one of one and two playing cards and a player hand area dimensioned to receive one of one and two playing cards, a plurality of individual betting locations located proximate an outer perimeter of the table, each of the individual betting locations has a banker hand wagering area designated for wagering on a banker hand and a player hand wagering area designated for wagering on a player hand, and a tie betting area located proximate the plurality of individual betting locations, the tie betting area is designated for wagering that the banker hand and the player hand will subsequently be determined to have an equal hand value. In one example both the player hand wagering area and the banker hand wagering area each receive only one playing card. In another example, both the player hand wagering area and the banker hand wagering area each receive only two playing cards.

[0020] The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a top view of one embodiment of the baccarat-type card game table of the present invention.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a top view of a second embodiment of the baccarat-type game table of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023] The present invention includes both a method of playing a baccarat-type card game and a table therefor.

[0024] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the first step in the method of playing the baccarat-type card game is dealing a player hand 12 having one card (in FIG. 1) or two cards (in FIG. 2). The next step is dealing a house or banker hand 16 also having one card (in FIG. 1) or two cards (in FIG. 2).

[0025] As noted above, the Ace through Nine cards have respective point values of 1 to 9, and 10's, Jacks, Queens and Kings have a point value of zero. The next step of the method of playing a baccarat-type card game is determining a hand value of the player hand 12. This is simply done by looking at the single card (in FIG. 1) or the two cards (in FIG. 2) to see the point value thereof based on the point system discussed above. If the point value of the one card of FIG. 1or the two cards of FIG. 2 of the player hand 12 is less than ten, then the hand value is equal to the sole card's (FIG. 1) or two cards' (FIG. 2) point value.

[0026] After determining the hand value for the player hand 12, the hand value is determined for the banker hand 16. Then the hand value of the player hand 12 is compared to the hand value of the banker hand 16, with the hand value closest to nine constituting the winning hand.

[0027] In both the first and second embodiments, the method of playing a baccarat-type card game further comprises the step of at least one player (not shown) wagering a wager on one of the player hand 12 and the banker hand 16. The method preferably further comprises the step of paying the at least one player an amount equal to the wager when the player wagers on a hand subsequently determined to be a winning hand. Although, as few as one player could play the baccarat-type card game of the present invention, it should be clearly understood that as many as seven players are capable of playing the baccarat-type card game of the present invention.

[0028] In both the first and second embodiments, the method of playing a baccarat-type card game further comprises the step of dealing an additional playing card when the player hand 12 and the banker hand 16 are subsequently determined to have an equal hand value. Preferably, the method of playing a baccarat-type card game further comprises paying the player an amount equal to the wager when the additional card is one of 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace. When the additional card is one of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, the player loses and pays the dealer an amount equal to the wager. In one embodiment of the method of playing a baccarat-type card game, the dealing of an additional card is automatic.

[0029] In both embodiments, the method of playing a baccarat-type card game further comprises the step of a player wagering a wager that the player hand 12 will have a hand value subsequently determined to be equal to the banker hand 16. The player will then be paid a multiple of the wager when the player hand 12 and the banker hand 16 are subsequently determined to have an equal hand value. Preferably, the multiple is 5 for the embodiment of FIG. 1 and 8 for the embodiment of FIG. 2, although to maintain a statistical advantage for the house, the multiple can be any number less than 10.

[0030] While in both embodiments, the method of playing a baccarat-type card game comprises the steps of at least one player wagering a wager, and paying the at least one player an amount equal to the wager when the player wagers on a hand subsequently determined to be a winning hand, or paying the at least one player a multiple of the wager when the player wagers that the banker hand 16 and the player hand 12 will have an equal hand value, it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the method of playing a baccarat-type card game in which there is no wagering.

[0031] Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, a baccarat-type card game table 20 is shown. The baccarat-type card game table 20 comprises a table 22 having a house or banker hand area dimensioned to receive the one playing card (for FIG. 1) or the two playing cards (for FIG. 2) of the banker hand 16 and a player hand area dimensioned to receive the one playing card (for FIG. 1) or the two playing cards (for FIG. 2) of the player hand 12. The baccarat-type card game table 20 further comprises a plurality of individual betting locations located proximate an outer perimeter of the table 22. Preferably, the baccarat-type card game table 20 comprises 7 betting locations, although it should be clearly understood that substantial benefit could be derived from an alternative embodiment of the baccarat-type card game table 20 in which the number of individual betting locations deviates, even substantially, from the preferred number of betting locations in either direction.

[0032] Still referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, each of the individual betting locations has a banker or house hand wagering area 30 (for sake of simplicity only one is shown in FIG. 2) designated for wagering on a banker hand 16 and a player hand wagering area 32 designated for wagering on a player hand 12. The baccarat-type card game table 20 further comprises a tie betting area 34 located proximate the plurality of individual betting locations. The tie betting area 34 is designated for wagering that the banker hand 16 and the player hand 12 will subsequently be determined to have an equal hand value.

[0033] The implementation of the baccarat game of this invention can be used in video machines, slot machines, scratch-card formats, computer software, home and internet entertainment, and can also be implemented in various types of computer program products such as floppy disks, compact disks, etc.

[0034] While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and other changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. 

I claim:
 1. A method of playing a baccarat-type card game comprising, in combination, the steps of: dealing a player hand having only one card; dealing a banker hand having only one card; determining a hand value of said player hand, wherein Ace through Nine cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and Jacks and Queens and Kings have a point value of zero, wherein a hand value of said player hand is equal to a total point value of said one card of said player hand; determining a hand value of said banker hand, wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and Jacks and Queens and Kings have a point value of zero, wherein a hand value of said banker hand is equal to a total point value of said one card of said banker hand; and comparing said hand value of said player hand with said hand value of said banker hand wherein the hand with a hand value closest to 9 is a winning hand.
 2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: at least one player wagering a wager on one of said player hand and said banker hand; and paying said at least one player an amount equal to said wager when said player wagers on a hand subsequently determined to be a winning hand.
 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: at least one player wagering a wager on one of said player hand and said banker hand; dealing an additional card when said player hand and said banker hand are subsequently determined to have an equal hand value; and paying said at least one player an amount equal to said wager when said additional card is one of 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, and Ace, said at least one player pays a dealer an amount equal to said wager when said additional card is one of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6,7, and
 8. 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: a player wagering a wager that said player hand will have a hand value equal to said banker hand; paying said player a multiple of said wager when said player hand and said banker hand are subsequently determined to have an equal hand value; a player paying a dealer an amount equal to said wager when said player hand and said banker hand are subsequently determined to have an unequal hand value.
 5. A baccarat-type card game table comprising, in combination: a table having a banker hand area dimensioned to receive one of one and two playing cards and a player hand area dimensioned to receive one of one and two playing cards; a plurality of individual betting locations located proximate an outer perimeter of said table, each of said individual betting locations has a banker hand wagering area designated for wagering on a banker hand and a player hand wagering area designated for wagering on a player hand; and a tie betting area located proximate said plurality of individual betting locations, said tie betting area is designated for wagering that said banker hand and said player hand will subsequently be determined to have an equal hand value.
 6. The baccarat-type card game table of claim 5 comprising 7 individual betting locations.
 7. The baccarat-type card game table of claim 5 wherein both the banker hand area and the player hand area each receive only one playing card.
 8. The baccarat-type card game table of claim 5 wherein both the banker hand area and the player hand area each receive only two playing cards.
 9. A method of playing a baccarat-type card game comprising, in combination, the steps of: dealing a player hand having two cards; dealing a banker hand having two cards; determining a hand value of said player hand, wherein Ace through Nine cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and Jacks and Queens and Kings have a point value of zero, wherein a hand value of said player hand is equal to a total point value of said two cards of said player hand when said two cards have a total point value less than 10 and when said two cards of said player hand have a total point value of at least 10 then the first digit of said total point value is ignored when determining a hand value of said player hand; determining a hand value of said banker hand, wherein Ace through 9 cards have respective point values of 1 to 9 and wherein 10's and Jacks and Queens and Kings have a point value of zero, wherein a hand value of said banker hand is equal to a total point value of said two cards of said banker hand when said two cards have a total point value less than 10 and when said two cards of said banker hand have a total point value of at least 10 then the first digit of said total point value is ignored when determining a hand value of said banker hand; and comparing said hand value of said player hand with said hand value of said banker hand wherein a hand selected by a player having a hand value closest to 9 is a winning hand; dealing only one additional card when said player hand and said banker hand are subsequently determined to have an equal hand value; and paying said at least one player an amount equal to said wager when said additional card has a certain card value.
 10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of: at least one player wagering a wager on one of said player hand and said banker hand; and paying said at least one player an amount equal to said wager when said player wagers on a hand subsequently determined to be a winning hand.
 11. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of: paying said at least one player an amount equal to said wager when said additional card is one of 9, 10, Jack, Queen, King, sand Ace, said at least one player pays a dealer an amount equal to said wager when said additional card is one of 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and
 8. 12. The method of claim 9 further comprising the steps of: a player wagering a wager that said player hand will have a hand value equal to said banker hand; paying said player a multiple of said wager when said player hand and said banker hand are subsequently determined to have an equal hand value; a player paying a dealer an amount equal to said wager when said player hand and said banker hand are subsequently determined to have an unequal hand value. 